Customer Reviews

Donizetti: La Fille Du Regiment

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This recording captures the two of the greatest bel cantosingers in a typical bel canto fanfare. Sutherland offers a convincingprotrayal of the vivandère Marie, while Alfredo Kraus, in his Tonio début, turns in a stylish performance. The supporting casts are fine... [the]studio recording made for Decca starring Sutherland and Pavarotti is indeed a marvellous recording. However, this live recording offers the atmopshere of theatre inevitably missing in the studio performance.

La stupenda at her absolute prime here. She had the most sensational voice in 1968. All the high notes were gigantic. ( as was her girth LOL ) The live recording is among the best I've heard, very, very clear. Buy this and you will see what real bravura singing is all about. Be prepared to hear many, many notes above high C. Sutherland will be remember in history as the vocal phenomenon of the 20th century, I predict.

I just bought this one. The performance is something I'll have to tell my grandchildren. All the bravura is child's play for Sutherland and Kraus. Kraus better than Pav! And the high notes are heaven.
This is better than the legendary studio set that cost far more.
Highest recommendation

This recording not only captures Sutherland and Kraus at their peak, but also serves as a great memory for me. I attended one of the "Regiment" performances in Chicago, 1973. The artists had great fun on stage and the recording captures it superbly along with the audience reaction. The sound quality is quite good for a live recording. Sadly, the legendary Jennie Tourel, who made a cameo appearance as the Duchess of Krakenthorp in this opera, died of cancer just weeks after this performance.

This CD finds both the stars at their absolute peak. Pavarotti is astonishing! Sutherland's voice had gotten it's biggest at this point (in 1968) but it hadn't lost any girlishness yet. The tomboyishness of Marie is perfect for her and she even acts the part effectively (of course her singing is spectacular). The supporting players are excellent, especially Malas, who sings exceedingly well and acts even better. This CD documents how amazing it was to go to the opera in the late 60s and captures possibly the two greatest voices of the century at their peak.